The fluctuating availability of energy sources has encouraged the development of energy storage devices such as supercapacitors. Supercapacitors are good electrochemical energy storage materials that have demonstrated promising efficiencies in diverse applications. They are able to release high power at low energy operating conditions. In this article, we introduce basic knowledge on supercapacitors, their different classifications, and their relevance to material development. We outline the progress made on diverse materials adopted in improving the performance, charge retention, and stability of supercapacitive materials. Finally, we discuss the different methods utilised in obtaining highly stable supercapacitors.
Global fuel consumption and harmful gaseous emissions diverted energy sources to alternative means. Solar water splitting amidst other solar conversion methods is the most clean and efficient means of hydrogen production. 21st century technologies have delved into adopting nanomaterials of high efficiency to treat environmental pollution and produce hydrogen through electrochemical, photocatalytic, or electrophotocatalytic processes due to their outstanding properties. We reviewed diverse means of producing hydrogen through the use of advanced nanomaterials like carbon nanomaterials, solid inorganic-organic hybrids, metallic oxides/sulfides, quantum dots, composite heterostructures, microbial electrolysis cells etc. Overview on hydrogen production, ways of generating hydrogen, advanced nanomaterials for hydrogen production, and recent progress in hydrogen-producing nanomaterials have been discussed.
In recent times, renewable energy resources have been greatly researched because of the increasing concern to minimize global warming and meet energy demands. Energy storage systems have become useful tools for sustainability and meeting energy needs. Solar energy has proven in recent times to be the primary and most prevalent option due to its environmental friendliness, availability, and minimal pollution. Effective utilization of available energy resources has led to developing new alternative energy devices like the solar thermal energy storage system (STESS) with a solar energy source. Solar thermal energy systems are efficient systems that utilize solar energy to produce thermal and electrical energy. This review aims to give a detailed overview of solar TESS, different TES application systems, and effective methods of increasing the system performance to provide energy during deficient times. The various classifications, basic components, the principle of operation, application areas of STESSs, prospects, and extensive reviews on these aspects have also been discussed in this review. The different factors to be considered geared towards meeting energy demands and increasing the efficiency of solar TES systems have been duly detailed. This review is a single manuscript with a detailed overview of STESS, the principle of operation and components of STESS, thermal energy storage materials, a description of different application systems, and a discussion of factors responsible for improving the system efficiency.
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